N-A-E-B news-letter (March 01, 1947)

N - A- E- B NEWS-LETTER

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTERS

Edited by Harold A. Engel, President
Station WHA, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

March 1, 1947

FCC RELEASES NEW RULES

The Federal Communications Commission on February 14 adopted for release new
sections of its rules governing Non-Commercial Educational FM Broadcast Stations,
to become effective on April 1, 1947.

Sections 3.501 to 3.591 are new embodying essentially the recommendations made
after considerations by NAEB at the 1946 Convention at Michigan State College.

NEW FM FILM

The General Electric Company is about to release a new film entitled, "Naturally--
It's FM". This 16 mm. sound film in color should be useful in promotion campaigns
as in the earlier version called "The Story of FM". It is to be available through
the company's district offices and through film libraries.

POLITICS AND THE FCC

Sports prognosticating has nothing on the activities of the radio trade press
in starting and spiking rumors about prospective FCC appointments. Were it not for
the importance of the job, the satire involved would be appreciated.

In a single issue of Broadcasting Magazine (February 3) these comments in

different stories appear: "-Charles R. Denny will recommend-Wakefield-be

named to succeed himself. Confirmation is far from automatic since new Republican
majority in Senate isn't at all satisfied with Republican appointments-".

"-comes word that Thad Brown, Jr.-will be urged for Wakefield post by

regular Republican stalwarts. Like his father he is an Ohio Republican and his
mother is most active in Republican Committee circles."

"-a political deal was concocted and almost jelled, for appointment of

Marion E. Martin, ex-assistant chairman of Republican National Committee to the
Porter vacancy."

Basic qualifications and performance "in the public interest convenience and

necessity" might be given some consideration-rather than political services

rendered-or subservience to the wishes of those who under the banner of "The

American way" place their own interests above those of the public,

HLE ’MBERSHIP INVITATION

The National Association of Educational Broadcasters invites to
membership institutions and agencies operating broadcasting.stations
or carrying on an educational program over stations not.their own.
This includes city, county and state educational bodies engaging in
FM operations as well as colleges and universities.

Associate Membership is open to individuals and institutions
interested in the field of public service broadcasting.

Write for further information and membership application blank.

Vice-President

Robert J. Coleman
WKAR

East Lansing, Mich.

Treasurer Executive Secretary Executive Committee

W. L Griffith M. S. Novik Waldo Abbot. Michigan Milford C. Jensen. WCAL. St. Olaf

WOI 30 Rockefeller Plaza John W. Dunn, WNAD, Oklahoma James S. Miles, WBAA, Purdue

Ames, Iowa New York, N. Y. Richard B. Hull. WOI, Iowa Stale Russell Potter, Columbia

- 2 -

CALIFORNIA BROADCASTERS OPPOSE EDUCATIONAL RADIO

Trade magazines have reported activity on the part of both the Northern and
the Southern California Broadcasters Associations to stifle in its initial stages a
proposal of the University of California for a state-wide network of educational FM
stations.

Whether or not the information was supposed to have been released to the public
is not known; but it has stirred to action those who see better things ahead for
radio and its listeners.. NAEB members are particularly concerned over the
implications of the situation. If it can happen in California, it could happen

elsewhere-though it is expected that commercial broadcasters in.other^states

have less greed and more faith in themselves than displayed by their California
brethren.

In reply to an inquiry on the matter from your President, the following letter
was received from FOG Commissioner Paul A. Walker:

February 12, 1947

Dear Mr i Engel i

I have your letter of the 5th instant calling my attention to an article
in Broadcasting Magazine of February 3» 1947, entitled "Seeks State FM," This
article states that "The University of California is aiming at formation of
an FM network controlled by the State's Department of Education, and is seeking
an appropriation of 41,750,000 for that purpose," It then adds this significant
sentence:

"Conscious of this threat to freedom of expression, as well
as implied competition, both Northern and Southern California
Broadcasters Associations are preparing stretegy."

Our attention has also been called to an article in the February 5, 1947
issue of Variety entitled, "California Broadcasters Oppose Planned State-School
FM Chain." This article carries a Hollywood, Feb, 4 date line and recites:

"California broadcasters today (Tues.) took their initial
step at thwarting the creation here of a state-financed, and school-
controlled FM station chain,

"An immediate investigation will be launched into the whys,
wherefores and hows of the plan before it gets into bill form for
presentation to the current legislature in Sacramento. With the
necessary information in hand, the broadcasters will then seek
to organize a united front of commercial station operators and
devise the means to combat the powerful and wealthy academic-
political lobby fathering the plan.

"Broadcasters are determined not to leave the threat on
its own in the hope that it will not get through or, perhaps, be
stymied by some existing State or Federal laws prohibiting such
operations. Once before a similar bill w r as in the making, but it
never got to the presentation stage. No such chance will be taken
on the newcomer.

"Planners of the FM chain here state that no commercial
operation is intended. However, commercial or non-commcrciql,
broadcasters want no part of what they feel 7/ill be definite
competition for audiences."

These two articles present the tragedy of the situation.

In its June, 1945 allocations, the Federal Communications Commission set
aside 20 channels for non-commercial education FM broadcasting and has con¬
sistently refrained from licensing commercial stations in these channels.

State educational networks offer an effective means of carrying educational
programs to schools and communities throughout the states. Such educational
networks would supplement the work of the individual educational stations by
making it possible for these stations to exchange information and programs and
thus fill out a well-rounded schedule of programs throughout the maximum hours
of the day. Such educational networks would not only offer a way for the
educational broadcasting stations to supplement the programs of each other,and
thereby provide a statewide coverage for many excellent programs which could
be heard in schools not equipped with their own educational broadcast stations
or facilities.

Accordingly, we have encouraged, through our own efforts and through
cooperation witn the Departments of Education and others, the setting up of
such educational networks. It has never occurred to us .that educational
stations could be, in any way, a threat to commercial broadcasting. In fact,
it is my personal opinion that educational broadcasting stations would be a
tremendous impetus to broadcasting generally and would encourage and assist
commercial stations through developing listening habits and greater audiences.

To my way of thinking, the opposition indicated to the California
Educational Network by current stories in the press, is exceedingly ill-advised
and short-sighted. I sincerely hope that these articles do not represent
either the attitude of the California commercial broadcasters or of the
commercial broadcasters generally.

I appreciate your calling this matter to our attention.

Sincerely yours,

Paul A. Walker
Commissioner

JETT CONCURS

Commissioner E. K. Jett comments on Commissioner Walker's letter and says,

"I concur with his views".

AER TAKES STAND

In the March 1947 issue of the AER Journal the lead article entitled, "Is This
Cooperation, Hr. Broadcaster?" by Editor Tracy F. Tyler, is devoted to the situation-
quoting from it:

"It is hard to believe that any member of the commercial radio
industry would have any other feelings than those of gratitude to find
educators, showing such a deep interest in radio and its non-commercial,
educational, and public service possibilities. Especially should they
welcome the entrance into the radio field of the public educational
authorities. Yet BROADCASTING February 3 (page 6l), reports that
Northern and Southern California Broadcasters Associations are opposing
the entrance of California into FM. The reason for this reported
opposition, according to BROADCASTING, is because broadcasters are
'conscious of this threat to freedom of expression as well as implied
competition,'

"Surely commercial broadcasting in California is not in such a
precarious position as to cause any of its members to fear networks
operated by the public educational authorities. (Can it be that
education is a threat to business? When have educators been.convicted
of suppressing free speech?)

-4-

Yet such opposition can lead only to the conclusion that California

broadcasters are suffering from fear-have developed feelings of

insecurity, of inadequacy.

"In any event, it is to be hoped that the officers of the
National Association of Broadcasters will take cognizance of this
unfortunate move on the part of the California radio industry.

An NAB investigation should result in an official statement
immediately in full support of California’s proposed state
educational FM project. Only in that way can the NAB convince
American educators of commercial radio’s sincerity in its pro¬
fessions of friendliness.

"Is there an ulterior motive behind this commercial opposition?

Could it be the hope that if states are prevented from establishing
educational FM stations, the twenty channels would be thrown open
to commercial exploitation? Perhaps an FCC investigation might
bring to light some interesting data. It is conceivable that, if
the facts warranted, a public statement of the findings might be
released widely for public comsumption. The least that could be
done by the FCC would be to issue an official statement deploring
the irresponsible attitudes which the article in BROADCASTING
reports, and to make sure that this statement received wide
publicity." -Tracy F. Tyler, Editor.

This will bear watching. Members are urged to make known any information they
may obtain which has a bearing on the matter.

NEUTRAL. SAY BROADCASTERS

In a wire to NAEB, Hale Sparks, Director of Radio at the University of
California, says (Feb.24): "OFFICIALS BOTH NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS NAB

INSIST THEIR POSITION NEUTRAL. PROSPECTS FOR FM BILL HARD TO ESTIMATE NOW-- »

The apparent anonymity of the news releases is confusing to Sparks, who

follows his wire with a letter saying, "-I was trying to run down the source of

the blasts in both Variety and Broadcasting, but got nowhere*-It was like shadow-

boxing-."

Someone may have spoken out of turn. At best, this provides an excellent
opportunity for those broadcasters to demonstrate in a practical way whether public
interest or private advantage dictates their actions.

HITS AND MISSES

HEADLINE OF THE WEEK

"Soap Operas Fare Poorly in Butte, Des Moines Surveys"-Variety, Feb.22, 1947.

Confession is good for the soul'.

"It’s (radio's) prime ingredients should be intelligence and respect. There is
still considerable room in radio for both elements". —

.The Saturday Review of Literature

Commenting on the storm of protests on the Blue Book by certain broadcasters,

FM BUSINESS (February,1947) says, "Significantly, however, no broadcaster has
challenged the Commission’s right to look into program structure".

A bill introduced in Congress by Representative Hoffman(R. Michigan) would make
it a criminal offense to interfere with the production or transmission of broadcasts.
Fines and imprisonment are specified for violations interfering With "the freedom
of speech and a free press". Where does interference begin?--*-with the writer,
sponsor, director?

■ G U E S T I T O R I A L

SOME FACTS AND FANCIES ABOUT THE FCC

During recent months a grave and dangerous situation has developed
in American broadcasting. The implications, which are not well under¬
stood, are serious, not only for the sound future of American radio
(commercial and educational) but for the basic liberties of the people.

The National Association of Broadcasters, under the shrewd leader¬
ship of Justin Miller, has been conducting a carefully-planned attack
on the Federal Communications Commission for the alleged purpose of
protecti ng free speech and free enterprise in American radio. Since
these are obviously excellent goals, and since the average American
citizen has little knowledge of the structure and personnel of the
broadcasting industry, the whole endeavor has sounded reasonable and has
met with considerable success.

Mr. Miller has stumped the country, speaking at luncheon clubs,
broadcast meetings, enlisting the sympathy of political figures. The
trade papers have carried news about "ripper bills 1 ' designed to cripple
or replace the FCC. Colliers magazine has taken up the cudgel for "free"
radio. A new Washington newsletter, C apitol Radio Beoort er, furnishing
its readers with "inside news", warns continually against the threat
(a carefully-nurturedjiyth) of "government radio ownership." and points out
that radio, like the press, must fight to retain its freedom.

The average citizen (and legislator) does not know that American
radio has been profitable beyond the wildest dreams of its pioneers. He
does not know that only 1000-odd AM radio channel assignments exist in
the U.S. and that no more are available. He does not know that broad¬
casting frequencies are so valuable that stations have been selling for
10 and 21 times their net worth.

The average citizen does not know that about 30 clear channel
stations and 4 networks dominate the radio scene, nor does he know that
40 , 000 -odd individuals in the broadcast industry and a. handful of major
advertisers now have almost uninhibited control over the most powerful
emotional force with which the public mind has ever been faced.

Naturally, they resist any change in the status quo.

Center of much of the current storm is the FCC report on the "Public
Service Responsibility of Broadcast Licensees". It is the "Blue Book" -
which sets up tentative standards whereby station program operation
might be reviewed and evaluated at license renewal time. This publication
was greeted with the familiar cries of "government domination",
"censorship", "left-wing nonsense" and was construed by the NAB as a
step in the direction of federal control of radio. Many individual
station operators do subscribe to the FCC policy and views. But the
official point of view is the view of the NAB leadership, which hopes
to use the headman’s axe.

The handwriting is clear—the conflict is essentially that of
special privilege against the public interest. The danger is political—
the new Congress is understandably intent on a certain amount of "house¬
cleaning" . It is our hope that they will understand the NAB interest
goes deeper and has other objectives than "free speech" and "free
enterprise". Every member of the Senate and the House in every state
should be advised that this is more than a question of bureaucracy,
and that the broadcaster has responsibilities which extend beyond
insuring the stockholder’s annual dividend.

—RICHARD B; HULL-, Radio WOI, Iowa State College

Next month’s guestitorialisti M. C. Jensen*

From: Radio City

- 6 *

TH E SECRETARY'S PAG E

Where Do We Go From Here?
Do We Fold Up or Grow Up?

Recently, over 200 FM enthusiasts — operators, engineers, manufacturers —
gathered at the Hotel Statler in Washington, D.C. to talk about FM, to exhibit FM
models and to hear Charles Denny, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission,
in the presence of the full Commission, reiterate his support of FM and assure the
group of complete support and recognition by the Commission.

The meeting was important and interesting to me because, for the first time at
any meeting of broadcasters, one was able to speak with people who were really
excited about the future of FM; some actually were planning programs to compete
with AM.

The Washington meeting was the first public one since a Steering Committee was
organized at last fall’s NAB session in Chicago. The spark plug behind the whole
idea was Judge Roy Hofheinz, owner of KOPY in Houston, Texas, a station that has
been giving the big fellow plenty of competition. The meeting moved at a fast pace;
there were a few invited speakers, and by and large, they were all timely and to
the point. Before the day was up, the plans of the Steering Committee were accepted
and Frequency Modulation Association - FM - was organized. Roy Hofheinz was
elected President, and Bill Bailey of Broadcasting, was elected the full time, paid,
Executive Secretary, to operate from new offices in Washington.

FM has decided on an elaborate campaign of promoting FM, and more important,
they seem very anxious to help new FM station operators. If they did nothing else
but made it possible for new stations to benefit by the promotional experience of
the other fellows, it would be well worth the dues of £100 a year. Of course, they
propose to do more than just that, and that is where NAEB comes in.

Where do we go from here? What should we advise the new educational groups
which have received licenses or filed applications? Do we recommend FMA and then
try to get a lower rate, or do we set up our own organization?

Ronnie Lowdermilk is reported in the trade press as having met with the FM
people and urged them to set up a special rate of &25.00 a year for educational
groups. I would take Ronnie's opinion, hands down, on anything that has to do with
engineering. He certainly has been plugging at the U.S. Office of Education long
and hard. But I am not sure whether that is the way out for us, and just because I
am not sure, I'm putting it right on the line for the rest of you to think about.

frost of you have had much more contact with educational groups than I have.

Do you think they would have the same freedom in a strictly promotional organization,
or not? If the answer is no, then certainly NAEB, rather than a new FM educational
organization. If this is correct, then it seems to me we must come to the conclusion
that NAEB line up, as soon as possible, a meeting of the key educational people who
are interested in FM or who have already filed for FM stations.

February 25, 1947
Room 5052

30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York

Morris S. Novik
Executive Secretary

-7-

STATION REPORTS

WNYC-New York City .

Seymour Siegel has just guided his station through an 11-day American Music
Festival. This is an annual event between Lincoln's and Washington’s birthdays
which focuses on America’s musical heritage. In addition to well-known music, the
works of new composers and artists were performed. New York's foremost musical
organizations participated in specially arranged programs.

Using land lines between the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and New York,
WNYC is planning for an exchange of programs. CBS has been using the lines for
United Nations reporting, and an exchange of four programs each way is reported in
the planning stage.

KWSC-Washington State College. Pullmaru

A dynamic noise suppressor has been procured. "We heard about it in October,"
Fred Hayward said, "just about the time that maintenance of high program standards
without frequent repetition of preferred transcriptions was proving a real problem
to us, as to many broadcast stations. The problem had been "solved" in the past at
KWSC through the frequent use of commercial phonograph records, but unfortunately
even the best of such records are characterized by a high background noise level;
this is particularly apparent on high-grade receiving sets. KWSC was particularly
interested, consequently, "Hayvard declared, "in a demonstration on December 22 of
a ’Dynamic Noise Suppressor’ which promised to eliminate all surface scratching
and remove the usual hollow 7 base distortion without any sacrifice to the high
frequencies.

KWSC announces a policy of feeding its best personnel into commercial radio.

"We will have KWSC graduates contact the commercial stations; we will know the men
and women well enough to give any manager a clear appraisal beforehand of the
applicant’s ability. Each one will have won an A.B, degree and have had a four-
year college education. Farming out to commercial stations during summers, practical
w °rk engineering, working in music, traffic or production, announcing, newscasting
on.a regional, and intensive study under a commercially-backgrounded staff- these
things w/ill give interested trainees, we think, the showmanship and know-how which
has made radio, cultured or not, the great force it has become. It will not harm,
and it may help.".says the manager.

WBKY-Univer si ty of Kentucky, Lexington .

Elmer Sulzer, after reading the report last month says: "Don’t you know that
WBKY was never an FM station at Beadttyville and ceased operating there completely
three years.ago, moved to the University campus in Lexington and started there as an
FM station in March 1945? Tsch, Tsch." (Sorry, Elmer, your Editor was away those
days.)

A teaching.department headed by Sulzer lists courses as Radio Today, Radio
Announcing, Radio Drama, Radio Regulations, and Advanced Radio Announcing. Courses
in script writing and production are contemplated for next year.

WHA-FM-University of Wisconsin, Madison.

The first transmitter in the state—wide network of FM stations being set up under
the auspices of the Wisconsin State Radio Council will go on the air at 12:00 o'clock
noon on March 30. It will be located on the University of Wisconsin campus in
Madison and will use 3 Kw. power on the 91.5 Me. frequency.

WHA-FM will operate in close conjunction with WHA from the Radio Hall studios.

A regular schedule of broadcasting beginning in the iate-afternoon and continuing
throughout the evening will be maintained. The late-afternoon programs will be
carried simultaneously on AM and FM, until WHA is obliged to leave the air at sundown.
This will provide an opportunity for a comparison of quality and coverage.

GOOD-WILL PLUS SERVICE

WOSU is setting a pattern which more of us might do well to follow. As the
only institution of higher learning in the state which possesses educational
broadcasting facilities, it is sharing what it has with its colleagues in the field.

In a program "College Cavalcade" twenty-one institutions are cooperating to
tell this story. All colleges in the state were invited to participate. The
format will be a brief round-up of the week's top news from as many colleges as can
be covered in the weekly 15-minute show. The Ohio State University public relations
office gathers the material for the broadcast and aids in publicizing the program
throughout the state.

The "have-not" institutions-as far as radio is concerned-sometimes feel

left out and perhaps a bit jealous of the schools which have their own stations.

This is a chance to improve relations and an understanding of the job to be done.
After all-no one institution has a monopoly on program talent.

PROPAGANDA ANALYSIS

From long experience they know how to do it! Spokesmen for the "industry"
can concoct potions which make the late Herr Goebbels' efforts look puny. A
recent speech on censorship-threats by one of them includes these; "The American

tenet-un-American approach-alien outcroppings-bombastic individuals-smugly

unconcerned."

Why not a few lessons in propaganda recognition-as we had it during the war?

FACILITIES AND THE FCC

WOI-(Ames, Iowa) application granted for special service authorization

to operate from 6:00 AM to local sunrise. (Feb.20, 1947)

Trustees of Indiana University-(Bloomington, Ind.) Application accepted for

CP for new 10 Kw. non-commercial educational station amended to use channel *$220,

91.9 Me. (January 28)

Tech. High School-(Dade County, Miami, Fla,) applied for CP for new non¬

commercial educational FM station, 91.9 Me. 250 watts (January 29)

Junto, Inc.-(Philadelphia, Pa.) application for new non-commercial

educational FM station amended to 90.1 Me. 20 Kw. Accepted for filing (Feb.12, 1947)

WIUC-University of Illinois (Urbana, Ill.) applications for CP to change

frequency from 42.9 to 91.5 Me. and install new FM transmitter and antenna system.
v (Feb. 18,1947)

KSUI-University of Iowa (Iowa City, la.) application for modification of

CP for new non-commercial educational FM station to install new transmitter and
increase power from 1 Kw. to 3 Kw. and make changes in antenna system.(Feb.18,1947)

Board of Education-(Toledo, Ohio) applied for new non-commercial educational

(_ FM station 250 watt power.

WNAD-University of Oklahoma (Norman, Okla.) applied for CP to increase

power from 1 Kw. to 5 Kw., DA, and mount FM antenna on tower. Make transmitter and
studio changes. (Feb. 20, 1947)

WPTL-(Providence, R«I*) application fdr extension of* time for.beginning

operations of new non-oommetcial educational FM station. (Feb: 20, 194?;

Scanned from the National Association of Educational Broadcasters Records
at the Wisconsin Historical Society as part of
"Unlocking the Airwaves: Revitalizing an Early Public and Educational Radio Collection."

'oiTu> c KTwe
\\KWAVEs

A collaboration among the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities,
University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Communication Arts,
and Wisconsin Historical Society.

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the National Endowment for the Humanities

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